Centering device



(No Model.)

P. L. GANHAM. GENTERING DEVIGE.

No. 480,558. Patented Aug. 9, 1892.

1 0 5 (l x 7 F j 41 I x n 2. e)

WITNESSES: INVENTOH" Li; BY L -dzcl 1 V I W ATTORNEYS UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE.

FREDRIOK LINCOLN CANHAM, OF LISBON FALLS, MAINE.

CENTERING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.'480,558, dated August9, 1892.

Application filed December 14, 1891- Serial No. 41 ,965- (No mod T0 aZZwhom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FREDRICK LINCOLN CANHAM, of Lisbon Falls, in'thecounty of Androscoggin and State of Maine, have invented a new andImproved Centering Apparatus, of which the following is a full, clear,and exact description.

My invention is an improvement in the class of apparatus adapted for usein finding the center of regularly or irregularly shaped ends of piecesof wood or metal bars, 850.

The construction, arrangement, and operation of parts are as hereinafterdescribed, the essential features constituting the invention properbeing-indicated in the claim.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis specification, in which similar letters of reference indicatecorresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure l is a plan view of the improvement. Fig. 2 is a sectional sideelevation of the same on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the same on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

The improved centering device is preferably mounted on a frame A,provided with a slotted top 13, supported on suitable lugs G. On theslotted top Bis held longitudinally adjustable a head D, in which isfastened a center E, extending longitudinally, as is plainly illustratedin the drawings. On the pointed end of the center E is fitted to slidethe hub F of a funnel F, extending forward from the pointed end of thecenter, as is readily seen by reference to Fig. 2. The funnel F is heldin an outermost position by a spring G, coiled on the centerE andabutting with one end on the head D and pressing with its other end onthe hub F. A pin or other suitable means limits the outward-slidingmotion of the funnel F on the center E. Directly opposite the latter andthe tunnel F is arranged a second funnel H, similar in construction tothe funnel F and provided with a hub H, fitted to slide on a center I,arranged in line with the center E and secured on a head J, attached tothe end of the slotted top B directly opposite the head D.

A spring K presses on the hub H of the funnel H, so as to hold thelatter in an outermost position. The center I is fitted to slide in thehead J, and its outer end is pivotally connected with a lever L,fulcrumed on the head .I and serving to move the center I inward, ashereinafter more fully described.

The device is used as follows: \Vhen a piece of wood, metal bar, orother article having its ends squared off is to be centered, then thehead D is adjusted on the slotted top B, so that the article can passbetween the two funnels F and H, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2.It will be seen that by passing an article into the funnels F and H thearticle readily assumes a central position as the corners or edges ofthe squared ends engage the circular interior of the funnels. At thesame time thefunnels F and H hold the article in place, so that theoperator after placing the article into the funnels simply moves thelever L inward, so as to cause the center I to slide to the left untilit engages the righthand end of the article, centers the same, and atthe same time forces the same to the left to move it into or against theother center E, which latter thus centers the other end of the article.It is to be understood that when the operator moves the lever L to theleft the funnel F yields by sliding outward on its center E, so that thelatter engages the squared-off end of the article, and at the same timethe other sliding center I engages the other squared-off end of thearticle, thus centering the same at both ends. As soon as the operatorreleases the pressure on the lever L the springs G and K force thefunnels F and H toward each other, so as to move the article off thecenters and permit the operator to remove the centered article from thefunnels.

To further define my invention I will state that it is not broadly newto apply a sliding funnel and coiled spring to centering points orspindles.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent The combination, with the slotted frame B, on suchsliding center, all as shown and deof the adjustable head D, mountedthereon, scribed, to operate as and for the purpose K0 the center E,fixed in said head, the spring specified. G, coiled on the center, andthe funnel F, 5 adapted to slide on the latter, the fixed head FREDRIOKLINCOLN OANHAM' J, the center I, sliding through it, the lever L,VVitnesseS: pivoted to the outer end of the center I, the HERBERT W. JONES, spring K, and the sliding funnel H, mounted ELMER E. WHITE.

